Overview

• Subsequent tests confirmed Leoni tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee after being stretchered off late in the 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Southampton.
• Reports indicate he will be sidelined for several months, with any potential return unlikely before late in the season.
• Liverpool now have only Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez as senior centre-backs after a deadline-day move for Marc Guéhi collapsed and Jarell Quansah departed.
• Leoni joined from Parma in the summer for about £26m (€35m) after 17 Serie A appearances and drew praise for an assured debut before the injury.
• The defender thanked fans on Instagram and vowed to work toward a return, as Arne Slot noted post-match concerns and messages of support arrived from Parma and fellow players including Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.